Wall-mounted washing machine

ABSTRACT

A wall-mounted washing machine includes a cabinet, a tub disposed inside the cabinet and configured to receive washing water from a water supply device, the tub having an open front surface, a tub front cover coupled to the front surface of the tub and having an opening corresponding to the open front surface of the tub, and a drum disposed inside the tub. Further, the washing machine includes a gasket fitted to an inner rim of the opening of the tub front cover. At least a part of a rim of the gasket oriented inward of the drum protrudes rearward from an inner surface of the tub front cover and forms a flow path for the washing water supplied from the water supply device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based on and claims priority to Korean PatentApplication No. 10-2017-0074714, filed on Jun. 14, 2017, the disclosureof which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference for allpurposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments according to the present disclosure relate to a wall-mountedwashing machine.

BACKGROUND

In general, a wall-mounted washing machine is manufactured in a smallersize than a typical drum-type washing machine and can be installed on awall surface in a narrow space. The wall-mounted washing machine isdesigned to easily wash objects such as baby clothes, undergarments orthe like, which may have to be frequently washed.

The mounting surface includes a cabinet, a tub disposed within thecabinet and configured to store washing water, a drum installed in thetub that rotates and accommodates objects being washed, a drive unitconfigured to supply power to the drum, a water supply device configuredto supply the washing water into the tub, and a water drain deviceconfigured to drain the washing water from the tub to the outside of thecabinet.

For example, if a washing operation is started after a user puts objectsto be washed into the drum, the washing water is supplied into the tuband the drum by operation of the water supply device. The drum isrotated by the drive unit. Washing is completed through a washingprocess and a dewatering (water removal) process. At the end of washing,the washing water contained in the tub and the drum is drained to theoutside of the cabinet by the operation of the water drain device.

In a conventional wall-mounted washing machine, the washing watersupplied from the water supply device is supplied to a detergent boxinstalled in a front upper portion of a front panel of the cabinet. Thewashing water supplied to the detergent box is mixed with a detergent inthe detergent box and is then directly supplied into the tub. In otherwords, the washing water supplied from the water supply device issupplied into the tub in such a way that the washing water dropsdownward from above. Thus, the washing water supplied into the tub issplashed toward a gasket or a door. This poses a problem in that a stainis generated on the gasket or the door.

Accordingly, a need exists for a wall-mounted washing machine capable ofpreventing washing water from splashing onto a gasket or a door whenwashing water is supplied into the tub.

Korean Patent Application Publication No. 10-2013-0064623 (published onJun. 18, 2013) is an example of the prior art.

SUMMARY

Embodiments according to the present disclosure provide a wall-mountedwashing machine capable of preventing washing water from splashingtoward a gasket or a door in the process of supplying the washing waterinto a tub.

In embodiments, the wall-mounted washing machine includes: a cabinet; atub installed disposed the cabinet and configured to receive washingwater from a water supply device, the tub having an open front surface;a tub front cover coupled to the front surface of the tub and having anopening corresponding to the open front surface of the tub; a drumdisposed inside the tub; and a gasket fitted to an inner rim of theopening of the tub front cover. Further, at least a part of a rim of thegasket oriented inward of the drum protrudes rearward from an innersurface of the tub front cover and forms a flow path for the washingwater supplied from the water supply device.

In embodiments, the gasket further includes a door contact portionconfigured to selectively make contact with a door installed on a frontsurface of the cabinet, a first extension portion extending rearwardfrom an end of the door contact portion, a second extension portionextending radially outward of the tub front cover from an end of thefirst extension portion, a third extension portion extending rearwardfrom an end of the second extension portion, and a fourth extensionportion extending more rearward than the tub front cover from at least apart of an end of the third extension portion and forming the flow pathfor the washing water. A guide wall protruding radially outward of thetub front cover and guiding movement of the washing water supplied fromthe water supply device is disposed in an outer end portion of thefourth extension portion.

In embodiments, the fourth extension portion extends rearward from thethird extension portion so that the outer end portion of the fourthextension portion is spaced apart by a predetermined distance from anouter surface of the tub front cover.

In embodiments, the gasket further includes a first protruding rib thatprotrudes radially inward of the tub front cover from an inner end ofthe third extension portion, and a second protruding rib that protrudesradially inward of the tub front cover from an inner end of the fourthextension portion.

In embodiments, at least one of the fourth extension portion and thesecond protruding rib includes a washing water discharge portion.

In embodiments, the cabinet includes a rear panel mounted on a wallsurface and configured so that a detergent box is removably coupled tothe rear panel, a cover portion coupled to the rear panel to surround aperipheral surface of the tub, and a front panel disposed in the coverportion and configured so that a door is rotatably installed in thefront panel.

In other embodiments, the wall-mounted washing machine includes: a rearpanel mounted on a wall surface; a detergent box installed in the rearpanel and configured to receive washing water from a water supplydevice; a tub supported by the rear panel and having a drum disposedtherein; a tub front cover coupled to a front surface of the tub; and agasket disposed in the tub front cover. Further, at least a part of arim of the gasket is configured to form a flow path for the washingwater.

In these embodiments, the gasket includes a door contact portionconfigured to selectively make contact with a door disposed on a frontsurface of a cabinet, a first extension portion extending rearward froman end of the door contact portion, a second extension portion extendingradially outward of the tub front cover from an end of the firstextension portion, a third extension portion extending rearward from anend of the second extension portion, and a fourth extension portionextending more rearward than the tub front cover from at least a part ofan end of the third extension portion and forming the flow path for thewashing water. A guide wall protruding radially outward of the tub frontcover and guiding movement of the washing water supplied from the watersupply device is disposed in an outer end portion of the fourthextension portion.

In these embodiments, the fourth extension portion extends rearward fromthe third extension portion so that the outer end portion of the fourthextension portion is spaced apart a predetermined distance from an outersurface of the tub front cover.

In these embodiments, the gasket further includes a first protruding ribthat protrudes radially inward of the tub front cover from an inner endof the third extension portion, and a second protruding rib thatprotrudes radially inward of the tub front cover from an inner end ofthe fourth extension portion.

In these embodiments, at least one of the fourth extension portion andthe second protruding rib includes a washing water discharge portion.

The wall-mounted washing machine in embodiments according to the presentdisclosure prevents washing water from splashing toward a gasket or adoor in the process of supplying washing water into a tub.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a wall-mounted washing machine inan embodiment according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the wall-mounted washing machineshown in FIG. 1 in an embodiment according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the wall-mounted washingmachine shown in FIG. 1 in an embodiment according to the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the wall-mounted washing machine shown inFIG. 1 in an embodiment according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view showing a detergent box, a tub frontpanel, and a gasket of the wall-mounted washing machine shown in FIG. 1in an embodiment according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing the entire cross section of thewall-mounted washing machine in an embodiment according to the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view showing a tub front panel and a gasketof the wall-mounted washing machine shown in FIG. 1 in an embodimentaccording to the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view showing a tub front panel and a gasketof the wall-mounted washing machine shown in FIG. 1 in an embodimentaccording to the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a gasket of the wall-mountedwashing machine shown in FIG. 1 in an embodiment according to thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the gasket in FIG. 9 in an embodimentaccording to the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the gasket in FIG. 9 in an embodimentaccording to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. The illustrativeembodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claimsare not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, andother changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope ofthe subject matter presented here.

One or more example embodiments according to the present disclosure willbe described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which one or more embodiments of the disclosure can beeasily determined by those skilled in the art. As those skilled in theart will realize, the described example embodiments may be modified invarious different ways, all without departing from the spirit or scopeof the present disclosure, which is not limited to the exampleembodiments described herein.

It is noted that the drawings are schematic and are not necessarilyillustrated to scale. Relative sizes and proportions of parts in thedrawings may be exaggerated or reduced in size, and a predetermined sizeis merely an example and not limiting. The same reference numeralsdesignate the same structures, elements, or parts illustrated in two ormore drawings in order to exhibit similar characteristics.

The drawings of the present disclosure illustrate example embodimentsaccording to the present disclosure in more detail. As a result, variousmodifications of the features in the drawings are expected. Accordingly,the example embodiments are not limited to a specific form of theillustrated region, and for example, may include modification of formdue to manufacturing processes.

A wall-mounted washing machine 10 in embodiments according to thepresent disclosure will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to11.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 11, the wall-mounted washing machine 10 may be adrum-type washing machine installed on a wall surface 20 to easily washobjects such as baby clothes, undergarments or the like, which may haveto be frequently washed, and is also capable of drying those objectswhen washing is complete. The wall-mounted washing machine 10 mayinclude, for example, a cabinet 100, a tub 200, a tub front cover 300, adrum 400, a drive unit 500, a gasket 600, a drying device 700, a watersupply device 800, and a water drain device 900.

The cabinet 100, which forms an outer shell of the wall-mounted washingmachine 10, may include a rear panel 110, a cover portion 120, and afront panel 130.

The rear panel 110 is mounted on the wall surface 20 by a fasteningmember 111 a. The tub 200 may be integrated with the front surface ofthe rear panel 110. For example, the rear panel 110 may have arectangular shape with corners that are rounded. However, this is anexample, and the present disclosure is not so limited. For example, therear panel 110 may be formed in various shapes such as a circular shape,an elliptical shape, and the like.

On the rear surface of the rear panel 110, there may be through-holeportions 111, first reinforcing ribs 112, second reinforcing ribs 113, aconnecting portion 114, and a mounting recess portion 115.

The through-hole portions 111, into which fastening members 111 a formounting the rear panel 110 to the wall surface 20 are inserted, may berespectively formed in the corners of the rear surface of the rear panel110. The fastening members 111 a, when inserted into the through-holeportions 111 in this way, may be coupled to the wall surface 20.

The first reinforcing ribs 112 may be radially formed in a plural numberabout the central portion of the rear surface of the rear panel 110 inorder to prevent the rear panel 110 from being broken by vibrationsgenerated during rotation of the drum 400. The first reinforcing ribs112 may be connected to one another by a respective second reinforcingrib 113.

The connecting portion 114 is provided in the central portion of therear surface of the rear panel 110 and may connect the drum 400 and thedrive unit 500. To this end, the driving shaft 410 of the drum 400(described below) may be rotatably installed in the connecting portion114. In that case, the drum 400 is installed in one end portion of thedriving shaft 410 of the drum 400 installed in the connecting portion114, and the driving wheel 520 of the drive unit 500 (described below)is installed in the other end portion of the driving shaft 410 of thedrum 400. As a result, the power supplied from the drive unit 500 istransmitted to the drum 400.

The mounting recess portion 115 is a portion to which the driving wheel520 of the drive unit 500 is mounted. The mounting recess portion 115may be recessed frontward from the rear surface of the rear panel 110 inorder to prevent the driving wheel 520 from interfering with the rearpanel 110 and the wall surface 20. As used herein, the term “frontward”refers to the direction extending from the rear panel 110 toward the tub200 on the basis of FIG. 3, and the term “rearward” refers to thedirection extending from the tub 200 toward the rear panel 110 on thebasis of FIG. 3.

The cover portion 120 is coupled to the rear panel 110 and configured tosurround the outer circumferential surface of the tub 200. The coverportion 120 may have a structure in which parts of the front surface andthe rear surface are open. As an example, the cover portion 120 may beformed in a rectangular tube shape with rounded corners so that itsperimeter gradually decreases frontward.

The front panel 130 may be installed on the open front surface of thecover portion 120. An opening 130 a may be formed in the central portionof the front panel 130. An operation unit 130 b for controlling thewall-mounted washing machine 10 may be disposed in the front lowerportion of the front panel 130 surrounding the opening 130 a.

To open and close the opening 130 a of the front panel 130, a door 140may be coupled to the front panel 130. The door 140 may be an electronicdoor which is opened and closed in a one-touch manner by the operationof the operation unit 130 b. Alternatively, the door 140 may beconfigured so that a user can directly open and close the door 140 usinga handle (not shown) of the door 140.

A detergent box installation portion 130 c may be formed in the frontupper portion of the front panel 130 surrounding the opening 130 a. Adetergent box 150 for storing a liquid detergent and a fabric softeneris removably installed in the detergent box installation portion 130 c.As an example, the detergent box installation portion 130 c is formed ina shape corresponding to the shape of the detergent box 150.

The detergent box 150 is configured to separately store a liquiddetergent and a fabric softener. The detergent box 150 may include astorage portion 151 and a siphon discharge portion 152.

The storage portion 151 stores a liquid detergent and a fabric softener.When a washing operation is started, washing water is supplied to thestorage portion 151. Then, the washing water supplied to the storageportion 151 is mixed with the liquid detergent or the fabric softener.As an example, the storage portion 151 has a box-like shape with an openupper surface.

The siphon discharge portion 152 may be installed in the storage portion151 and causes the washing water mixed with the liquid detergent or thefabric softener to be entirely discharged toward the gasket 600 withoutremaining in the storage portion 151. To this end, in embodiments, thesiphon discharge portion 152 includes a first siphon guide member 152 aand a second siphon guide member 152 b.

The first siphon guide member 152 a may protrude upward from the bottomsurface of the storage portion 151. For example, the first siphon guidemember 152 a may be a tubular member whose diameter gradually decreasesupward from the bottom surface of the storage portion 151.

The second siphon guide member 152 b may cover at least a part of theouter surface of the first siphon guide member 152 a but is spaced apart(separated) from the first siphon guide member 152 a. Thus, a flow pathfor the washing water mixed with the liquid detergent or the fabricsoftener is present between the outer wall of the first siphon guidemember 152 a and the inner wall of the second siphon guide member 152 b.

As a result, the washing water mixed with the liquid detergent or thefabric softener in the storage portion 151 can move upward along theflow path between the first siphon guide member 152 a and the secondsiphon guide member 152 b and can move downward through the first siphonguide member 152 a. Thus, the washing water will drop onto the gasket600. In addition, if the amount of the washing water mixed with theliquid detergent or the fabric softener exceeds the capacity of thestorage portion 151, the washing water may flow over the upper end ofthe side wall 151 a of the storage portion 151 and drop onto the gasket600.

The tub 200 stores washing water. The tub 200 receives the washing waterfrom the water supply device 800 and may discharge the washing water tothe outside of the cabinet 100 through the water drain device 900. Tothis end, the water supply device 800 may be connected to the upperportion of the tub 200, and the water drain device 900 may be connectedto the lower portion of the tub 200.

Accordingly, the tub 200 may protrude frontward from the front surfaceof the rear panel 110 and may have a shape in which the front surface isopen. As an example, the tub 200 has a cylindrical shape so that thediameter of its side wall gradually decreases frontward. In addition,the tub 200 may be made of substantially the same material as the rearpanel 110, e.g., a synthetic resin, and may be manufactured through aninsert injection molding process performed once. However, this is anexample. Instead, the tub 200 may be formed as a separate member andcoupled to the front surface of the rear panel 110.

The tub front cover 300 may be installed on the front surface of the tub200 to define an internal space in which the drum 400 is disposed. Anopening 300 a corresponding to the open front surface of the tub 200 maybe formed in the central portion of the tub front cover 300. A fittingportion 680 of the gasket 600 (described below) may be fitted to theinner rim portion that defines the opening 300 a. In embodiments, toincrease the coupling force with the fitting portion 680 of the gasket600 (described below), the outer portion of the rim that defines theopening 300 a has a step-like shape.

A detergent box insertion portion 300 b may be disposed on the frontsurface of the tub front cover 300 that surrounds the opening 300 a. Thedetergent box 150 may be inserted into the detergent box insertionportion 300 b. The detergent box insertion portion 300 b may protrudefrontward from the front surface of the tub front cover 300. A gapbetween the front end portion of the detergent box insertion portion 300b and the detergent box 150 may be sealed by, e.g., a separate sealingmeans. For example, the detergent box insertion portion 300 b may have aframe shape corresponding to the shape of the detergent box 150 and anopen upper surface.

The drum 400, which accommodates the objects being washed, may berotatably installed inside the tub 200. The drum 400 may receive thewashing water stored inside the tub 200 through the washing waterintroduction holes 400 a formed on the outer circumferential surface ofthe drum 400.

The driving shaft 410 may be connected to the drum 400. The drivingshaft 410 may also be connected to the drive unit 500 disposed on therear surface of the rear panel 110 and may receive power from the driveunit 500.

The drive unit 500 is disposed on the rear surface of the rear panel 110and is configured to supply power for rotating the drum 400. The driveunit 500 may include a driving motor 510, a driving wheel 520, and abelt 530.

The driving motor 510, which supplies power for rotating the drum 400,may be installed on the front surface of the rear panel 110. Therotating shaft 511 of the driving motor 510 may penetrate the rear panel110 and may extend toward the rear surface of the rear panel 110.

The driving wheel 520, which is rotated by the power of the drivingmotor 510 transferred via the belt 530, may be mounted inside themounting recess portion 115 disposed on the rear surface of the rearpanel 110 and may be connected to the driving shaft 410 of the drum 400.

The belt 530, which is configured to transmit the power of the drivingmotor 510 to the driving wheel 520, may be installed to operativelyconnect the rotating shaft 511 of the driving motor 510 and the drivingshaft 410 of the drum 400. Thus, the power of the driving motor 510 istransmitted to the driving wheel 520 by the belt 530. The driving wheel620 is rotated without interfering with the rear panel 110 and the wallsurface 20, whereby the drum 400 connected to the driving shaft 410 ofthe drum 400 can rotate.

The gasket 600 is fitted to the inner rim defining the opening 300 a ofthe tub front cover 300, thereby forming a flow path through which thewashing water discharged from the detergent box 150 flows. The gasket600 seals a gap between the cabinet 100 and the tub 200 and preventsforeign materials from entering the space between the tub front cover300 and the drum 400.

In embodiments, the gasket 600 includes a door contact portion 610, afirst extension portion 620, a second extension portion 630, a thirdextension portion 640, a fourth extension portion 650, a firstprotruding rib 660, a second protruding rib 670, and a fitting portion680.

In embodiments, the door contact portion 610 selectively makes closecontact with the door 140 in response to opening/closing the door 140and can assist the opening operation of the door 140 using the restoringforce generated when the door contact portion 610 is bent rearward bythe door 140.

To this end, in embodiments, the door contact portion 610 is formed tobe inclined toward the door 140. As an example, the door contact portion610 is inclined at an angle of more than 90 degrees and less than 100degrees with respect to the first extension portion 620. However, thisis an example, and the inclination angle of the door contact portion 610with respect to the first extension portion 620 may be different.

In embodiments, the first extension portion 620 is formed to extendrearward from an end of the door contact portion 610. The secondextension portion 630 extends radially outward of the tub front cover300 from an end of the first extension portion 620. The third extensionportion 640 extends rearward from an end of the second extension portion630.

The fourth extension portion 650 forms a flow path for the washing waterdischarged from the detergent box 150.

In embodiments, the fourth extension portion 650 extends rearward fromat least a part of an end of the third extension portion 640. Forexample, the fourth extension portion 650 extends rearward from thethird extension portion 640 so that the outer end of the fourthextension portion 650 is spaced apart a predetermined distance from theouter surface of the tub front cover 300.

The washing water discharged from the detergent box 150 may be suppliedto the outer surface of the fourth extension portion 650, in which casethat washing water moves along the gap formed between the outer end ofthe fourth extension portion 650 and the outer surface of the tub frontcover 300.

In embodiments, a guide wall 651 is provided at the end of the fourthextension portion 650 to guide the movement of the washing waterdischarged to the outer surface of the fourth extension portion 650.Specifically, the guide wall 651 protrudes radially outward of the tubfront cover 300 from the outer end of the fourth extension portion 650.Thus, when the washing water discharged to the outer surface of thefourth extension portion 650 moves along the gap formed between theouter end of the fourth extension portion 650 and the outer surface ofthe tub front cover 300, the washing water moves downward while beingguided by the guide wall 651.

Because the fourth extension portion 650 extends from at least a part ofthe end of the third extension portion 640, the washing water movingalong the region between the outer surface of the fourth extensionportion 650 and the guide wall 651 drops downward from the end of thethird extension portion 640 at which the fourth extension portion 650 isnot formed. Thus, the washing water can be directly supplied to the tub200.

In addition, the washing water moving along the region between the outersurface of the fourth extension portion 650 and the guide wall 651 candrop downward from the end of the third extension portion 640 at whichthe fourth extension portion 650 is not formed, and can move toward theinner surface of the fourth extension portion 650. Thereafter, thewashing water can be discharged through a washing water dischargeportion 652 in the fourth extension portion 650 and the secondprotruding rib 670. Then, the washing water can be supplied into the tub200.

In embodiments, the first protruding rib 550 protrudes radially inwardof the tub front cover 300 from the inner end of the third extensionportion 640. The first protruding rib 660 is formed to have a lengthsuch that the first protruding rib 660 is contiguous to the tip portionof the drum 400. Therefore, if a foreign material, e.g., a coin, becomesloose in the process of opening the door 140 and putting objects to bewashed into the drum 400, then the foreign material is blocked by thefirst protruding rib 660. Thus, the foreign material is collected in thespace defined by the second extension portion 630, the third extensionportion 640, and the first protruding rib 660.

In addition, if the foreign material inside the drum 400 comes out ofthe drum 400 during a water removal process, the foreign material isblocked by the first protruding rib 660. Thus, the foreign material willnot be introduced into the gap between the tub front cover 300 and thedrum 400. Accordingly, the space defined by the second extension portion630, the third extension portion 640, and the first protruding rib 660may be referred to as a first foreign material collection groove.

In embodiments, the second protruding rib 670 protrudes radially inwardof the tub front cover 300 from the lower inner end of the fourthextension portion 650. As an example, the second protruding rib 670 hasa length shorter than the length of the first protruding rib 660 and across-sectional area smaller than the cross-sectional area of the firstprotruding rib 660. However, this is an example, and the presentdisclosure is not so limited. If necessary, the second protruding rib670 can have a length such that the second protruding rib 560 makescontact with the outer circumferential surface of the drum 400.

If a foreign material, e.g., a clip, that has a smaller size than a coincomes out of the drum 400 and enters the gap between the tip portion ofthe drum 400 and the first protruding rib 660, then the foreign materialis blocked by the second protruding rib 670. Thus, the foreign materialcan be prevented from entering the gap between the tub front cover 300and the drum 400. Accordingly, the space defined by the first protrudingrib 660 and the second protruding rib 670 may be referred to as a secondforeign material collection groove.

In embodiments, the fitting portion 680, to which the tub front cover300 is fitted, is connected to the door contact portion 610. Inembodiments, the fitting portion 680 includes a first section 681, asecond section 682, and a third section 683.

The first section 681 extends radially outward of the tub front cover300 from the end of the door contact portion 610. In this case, thedistance by which the first section 681 extends radially outward of thetub front cover 300 from the end of the door contact portion 610 isequal to or smaller than the distance by which the second extensionportion 630 extends radially outward of the tub front cover 300 from theend of the first extension portion 620.

The second section 682 extends rearward from the end of the firstsection 681. To form a space to which the gasket 600 can be fitted, thedistance by which the second section 682 extends rearward from the endof the first section 681 is smaller than the distance by which the firstextension portion 620 extends rearward from the end of the door contactportion 610.

The third section 683 extends radially outward of the tub front cover300 from the end of the second section 682. In this manner, the thirdsection 683 increases the contact area and the coupling force with thegasket 600 while forming the space to which the gasket 600 can befitted.

The drying device 700 is a device that supplies hot air into the tub 200to dry objects that were washed. The drying device 700 may include a fan710 coupled to the upper portion of the tub 200 and configured tocirculate air, a hot air supply duct 720 connected to the fan 710 andconfigured to supply the air to the tub 200 through a hot airintroduction port formed in the tub front cover 300, a drying heaterprovided inside the hot air supply duct 720 and configured to heat theair introduced into the hot air supply duct 720, and a hot air dischargeduct 730 connected to the tub 200 and configured to guide the airpassing through the tub 200 toward the fan 710. In the drying device700, the fan 710, the hot air supply duct 720, the tub 200, and the hotair discharge duct 730 may form one air circulation path. In otherwords, the drying device 700 may perform its drying function bycirculating the air existing inside the wall-mounted washing machine 10.

A method of drying objects that were washed with the drying device 700will now be briefly described. When washing is complete and the dryingoperation is performed, the fan 710 is operated. As the air is movedalong the hot air supply duct 720 by the operation of the fan 710, theair is heated to a high temperature by the drying heater, therebyforming hot air. The hot air is then introduced into the tub 200 and thedrum 400 through the tub front cover 300. The hot air makes contact withthe washed objects inside the drum 400 to dry those objects. Thereafter,the hot air is introduced into the hot air discharge duct 730 throughthe hot air discharge port formed in the rear lower portion of the tub200. While passing through the hot air discharge duct 730, the hot airis cooled and dehumidified by condensing water injected into the hot airdischarge duct 730. In this state, the hot air may be re-introduced intothe fan 710. The washed objects may be dried by repeatedly performingsuch a process.

The operations and effects of the wall-mounted washing machine 10according to an embodiment of the present disclosure having theabove-described configuration will be described below.

When a user puts objects to be washed into the drum 400 and thenoperates the operation unit 130 b of the front panel 130 to start awashing operation, the washing water is supplied from the water supplydevice 800 into the detergent box 150.

Specifically, the washing water supplied from the water supply device800 is supplied to the storage portion 151 of the detergent box 150 andis mixed with the liquid detergent or the fabric softener stored in thestorage portion 151. The washing water mixed with the liquid detergentor the fabric softener moves upward along the flow path formed betweenthe first siphon guide member 152 a and the second siphon guide member152 b provided in the detergent box 150.

The washing water that moved upward along the flow path between thefirst siphon guide member 152 a and the second siphon guide member 152 bnext moves downward through the first siphon guide member 152 a. As aresult, the washing water drops onto the fourth extension portion 650.In addition, if the amount of the washing water supplied to the storageportion 151 exceeds the capacity of the storage portion 151, the washingwater may flow over the upper end of the side wall 151 a of the storageportion 151 and drop onto the fourth extension portion 650.

The washing water dropped onto the fourth extension portion 650 in thisway moves along the gap formed between the outer end of the fourthextension portion 650 and the outer surface of the tub front cover 300.In this process, the washing water is guided by the guide wall 651 andis moved downward along the circumferential direction of the gasket 600.Then, the washing water drops downward at the end point of the guidewall 651, namely at the point where the fourth extension portion 650 isnot present. Thus, the washing water is supplied to the tub 200.

In addition, the washing water that is dropped downward at the end pointof the guide wall 651, namely at the point where the fourth extensionportion 650 is not present, is moved toward the space between the firstprotruding rib 660 and the second protruding rib 670, e.g., the innersurface of the fourth extension portion 650. The washing water movedtoward the inner surface of the fourth extension portion 650 isdischarged through the washing water discharge portion 652 of the fourthextension portion 650 and supplied to the tub 200.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that various embodiments ofthe present disclosure have been described herein for purposes ofillustration, and that various modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Theexample embodiments disclosed in the specification of the presentdisclosure do not limit the present disclosure. The scope of the presentdisclosure will be interpreted by the claims below, and it will beconstrued that all techniques within the scope equivalent thereto belongto the scope of the present disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A wall-mounted washing machine, comprising: acabinet; a tub disposed inside the cabinet and configured to receivewashing water from a water supply device, the tub having an open frontsurface; a tub front cover coupled to the front surface of the tub andhaving an opening corresponding to the open front surface of the tub; adrum disposed inside the tub; and a gasket fitted to an inner rim of theopening of the tub front cover, wherein at least a part of a rim of thegasket oriented inward of the drum protrudes rearward from an innersurface of the tub front cover and forms a flow path for the washingwater supplied from the water supply device.
 2. The washing machine ofclaim 1, wherein the gasket comprises: a door contact portion configuredto selectively make contact with a door installed on a front surface ofthe cabinet; a first extension portion extending rearward from an end ofthe door contact portion; a second extension portion extending radiallyoutward of the tub front cover from an end of the first extensionportion; a third extension portion extending rearward from an end of thesecond extension portion; and a fourth extension portion extending morerearward than the tub front cover from at least a part of an end of thethird extension portion and forming the flow path for the washing water,and wherein a guide wall protruding radially outward of the tub frontcover and configured to guide movement of the washing water suppliedfrom the water supply device is disposed in an outer end portion of thefourth extension portion.
 3. The washing machine of claim 2, wherein thefourth extension portion extends rearward from the third extensionportion so that the outer end portion of the fourth extension portion isspaced apart by a predetermined distance from an outer surface of thetub front cover.
 4. The washing machine of claim 2, wherein the gasketfurther comprises: a first protruding rib that protrudes radially inwardof the tub front cover from an inner end of the third extension portion;and a second protruding rib that protrudes radially inward of the tubfront cover from an inner end of the fourth extension portion.
 5. Thewashing machine of claim 4, wherein at least one of the fourth extensionportion and the second protruding rib includes a washing water dischargeportion.
 6. The washing machine of claim 4, wherein the cabinetcomprises: a rear panel mounted on a wall surface and configured so thata detergent box is removably coupled to the rear panel; a cover portioncoupled to the rear panel to surround a peripheral surface of the tub;and a front panel disposed in the cover portion and configured so that adoor is rotatably installed in the front panel.
 7. A wall-mountedwashing machine, comprising: a rear panel mounted on a wall surface; adetergent box installed in the rear panel and configured to receivewashing water from a water supply device; a tub supported by the rearpanel and having a drum disposed therein; a tub front cover coupled to afront surface of the tub; and a gasket provided in the tub front cover,wherein at least a part of a rim of the gasket is configured to form aflow path for the washing water.
 8. The washing machine of claim 7,wherein the gasket comprises: a door contact portion configured toselectively make contact with a door installed on a front surface of acabinet; a first extension portion extending rearward from an end of thedoor contact portion; a second extension portion extending radiallyoutward of the tub front cover from an end of the first extensionportion; a third extension portion extending rearward from an end of thesecond extension portion; and a fourth extension portion extending morerearward than the tub front cover from at least a part of an end of thethird extension portion and forming the flow path for the washing water,and wherein a guide wall protruding radially outward of the tub frontcover and configured to guide movement of the washing water suppliedfrom the water supply device is disposed in an outer end portion of thefourth extension portion.
 9. The washing machine of claim 8, wherein thefourth extension portion extends rearward from the third extensionportion so that the outer end portion of the fourth extension portion isspaced apart by a predetermined distance from an outer surface of thetub front cover.
 10. The washing machine of claim 8, wherein the gasketfurther comprises: a first protruding rib that protrudes radially inwardof the tub front cover from an inner end of the third extension portion;and a second protruding rib that protrudes radially inward of the tubfront cover from an inner end of the fourth extension portion.
 11. Thewashing machine of claim 10, wherein at least one of the fourthextension portion and the second protruding rib includes a washing waterdischarge portion.